European Parliament Resolves to Get Tough on Wildlife Crime

“A resolution by the European Parliament calls for tougher penalties for wildlife crimes and more training for law enforcement officials to combat the trafficking of illegal items such as elephant ivory and rhino horn.

In a resoundingly affirmative vote Wednesday afternoon, the parliament also called for a mandatory destruction of illegal ivory stockpiles, a symbolic move made by a number of countries recently, including China and the US.

The non-binding resolution passed at 647 votes to 14, with no abstentions.”